Zorah Wines

Zorah Wines is the project of Zorik Gharibian, an Iranian-born entrepreneur who returned to his family's homeland to plant ungrafted vines in Armenia's remote Vayots Dzor region. Founded in 2006 at 1,400–1,600 metres elevation near Mount Ararat, zorah wines wines source from 15 hectares of indigenous varieties in soils of limestone and sand, where phylloxera has never taken hold. Zorik and his wife Oshin work with Areni Noir and ancient native whites—Voskéat and Garandmak—fermented in concrete tanks and aged in traditional buried amphorae, a practice unbroken for 6,100 years in this valley. Buy Zorah for wines that marry extreme altitude, old vines, and minimal intervention into reds of silky structure and whites of flinty precision.

About Zorah Wines

Zorik Gharibian fled Iran during the revolution, studied in Venice, and built a fashion business there before returning to Armenia in 2006 to fulfil a winemaking vision. He planted his first six hectares in Yeghegnadzor Valley, two kilometres from one of the world's oldest known wineries. Today the estate spans 15 hectares in the village of Rind, worked by Zorik and Oshin as winemakers. The vines are ungrafted survivors on low-vigour limestone; their thick-skinned Areni Noir and hardy native whites ripen slowly across long, cool-night summers. Fermentation uses only indigenous yeasts. Reds spend up to 24 months in large buried amphorae—karasi—before bottling; whites rest in concrete tanks. The result is wines of mineral precision, balanced acidity, and transparent terroir expression at high altitude.

Zorah Wines Wines in Our Collection

Start with the 2023 Karasì Areni Noir (93 points), a spicy red with delicate tannins and bright cherry—the entry to Zorah's house style. For a white, the 2023 Voskì (90 points) combines lemon, peach, and pomelo aromas with flinty minerality and remarkable acidity from high elevation. If you want depth, the 2020 Yeraz (90 points) is pure Areni aged nearly two years in amphorae, offering silky tannins, spiced red fruit, and a mineral finish. The 2021 Chilar (93 points) is a structured white blend, and the 2020 Sirenì (91 points) a bold red blend. Each reflects the cool nights and limestone soils of Vayots Dzor.

Food Pairing

The 2023 Karasì pairs with roasted lamb, aubergine, and herb-led Middle Eastern dishes. The Voskì suits goat's cheese, sea bass, and green salads. The Yeraz complements beef stew, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses. All three handle spice and smoke well, and the wines' acidity cuts through rich fats without effort.

Who makes Zorah Wines?

Zorik Gharibian, born in Iran, founded the project in 2006 in Armenia's Vayots Dzor. He and his wife Oshin are the winemakers, working 15 hectares of ungrafted vines at high altitude near Mount Ararat.

What style are Zorah Wines?

Areni Noir reds (spicy, silky, mineral) and native white blends (Voskéat, Garandmak) fermented in concrete, aged in buried amphorae. Scores range 90–93. Expect high acidity, low alcohol, and flinty minerality.

How much do Zorah Wines cost?

Whites from £32.90 to £61.55; reds from £32.15 to £110.60. The 2020 Yeraz is the premium bottling at £110.60; entry points are the 2023 Karasì and Voskì around £32 each.